Published: Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 12:15 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 12:15 p.m.

Eddie Money, who rocked pop charts in the 1970s and '80s, will kick off Ocala's second Feel Downtown Live concert series in March.

The season's lineup still is being finalized, but other confirmed acts are pop/rock band Sister Hazel and hit country singer Brett Eldredge, said Janie Pope, Ocala's downtown program manager, who coordinates the Feel Downtown Live series.

Pope said the city is filling the series with more nationally known acts this year. But the move comes at a cost. Literally. The formerly free concerts held at Citizens' Circle now will cost $10 a person, with ages 10 and younger admitted free.

Money is slated to perform on March 8, with tickets on sale starting Saturday at www.feeldowntownlive.com. Sister Hazel will perform March 29, with tickets on sale starting Feb. 15. Eldredge is scheduled to perform on April 26.

Pope said more acts will be announced soon.

This year's lineup and changes were shaped by surveys conducted after last year's inaugural Feel Downtown Live series, which featured headliners Little River Band, Edwin McCain and NEEDTOBREATHE along with lesser-known acts. One question asked what kind of acts would people like to see play downtown Ocala.

"Classic rock was the top pick, country was second," Pope said.

Another question asked if people would be willing to pay to see more nationally known acts; multiple-choice answers were "No," "Up to $10" and "Whatever It Takes."

Pope said the majority picked "Whatever It Takes," followed by "$10 or Under."

Bigger acts cost more money, she noted, but they also bring in more people to downtown Ocala. Feel Downtown Ocala's mission is, primarily, to bring more people into downtown's shops, restaurants, theaters and watering holes.

Plus, Pope noted, the Feel Downtown Live concerts are still cheaper than taking the family to many movie theaters.

The outdoor Citizens' Circle venue — behind Ocala City Hall — will be fenced off for the shows, but Pope said people who do not want to pay for a ticket will be allowed to set up chairs outside the perimeter. Those fans will be able to hear the music, but views of the stage will be distant and limited.

Pope said Sister Hazel was the "most requested" act listed on the surveys.

Bred in Gainesville (where two members still live), Sister Hazel topped charts in the 1990s with "All For You" and "Happy." The band continues to tour heavily and perform to large crowds — dedicated fans dubbed Hazelnuts. They never stopped recording, and their newer music often teeters at the top of iTunes charts and other online music sites.

Eldredge is popular in current country music rotation; he hit No. 1 last year with the single "Don't Ya." He has opened for Taylor Swift and has performed at the Grand Ole Opry.

Money, with his raspy voice and sense of blue-collar blues, was an FM radio staple with the 1970s hits "Two Tickets to Paradise," "Baby Hold On to Me" and "Maybe I'm a Fool." In the 1980s, he became a familiar face on MTV with the hits "I Wanna Go Back," "Shakin'," "Take Me Home Tonight," "Think I'm in Love" and "Walk on Water."

Money has performed at Silver Springs twice, the first time in 2009 with fellow '80s rocker Rick Springfield. In an interview with the Star-Banner before that show, he said he is popular with younger fans these days, as some of his songs have appeared in popular video games and movies.

"I don't know. These kids are out of their minds," he said with a laugh in 2009. "They all got short hair, and they all got earrings, and all the girls have tattoos. I mean these kids are crazy. I don't know if they drink. I don't know if they smoke pot. I don't want to know. I've got my own daughter to deal with. She's enough."

<p>Eddie Money, who rocked pop charts in the 1970s and '80s, will kick off Ocala's second Feel Downtown Live concert series in March.</p><p>The season's lineup still is being finalized, but other confirmed acts are pop/rock band Sister Hazel and hit country singer Brett Eldredge, said Janie Pope, Ocala's downtown program manager, who coordinates the Feel Downtown Live series.</p><p>Pope said the city is filling the series with more nationally known acts this year. But the move comes at a cost. Literally. The formerly free concerts held at Citizens' Circle now will cost $10 a person, with ages 10 and younger admitted free.</p><p>Money is slated to perform on March 8, with tickets on sale starting Saturday at www.feeldowntownlive.com. Sister Hazel will perform March 29, with tickets on sale starting Feb. 15. Eldredge is scheduled to perform on April 26.</p><p>Pope said more acts will be announced soon.</p><p>This year's lineup and changes were shaped by surveys conducted after last year's inaugural Feel Downtown Live series, which featured headliners Little River Band, Edwin McCain and NEEDTOBREATHE along with lesser-known acts. One question asked what kind of acts would people like to see play downtown Ocala.</p><p>"Classic rock was the top pick, country was second," Pope said.</p><p>Another question asked if people would be willing to pay to see more nationally known acts; multiple-choice answers were "No," "Up to $10" and "Whatever It Takes."</p><p>Pope said the majority picked "Whatever It Takes," followed by "$10 or Under."</p><p>Bigger acts cost more money, she noted, but they also bring in more people to downtown Ocala. Feel Downtown Ocala's mission is, primarily, to bring more people into downtown's shops, restaurants, theaters and watering holes.</p><p>Plus, Pope noted, the Feel Downtown Live concerts are still cheaper than taking the family to many movie theaters.</p><p>The outdoor Citizens' Circle venue — behind Ocala City Hall — will be fenced off for the shows, but Pope said people who do not want to pay for a ticket will be allowed to set up chairs outside the perimeter. Those fans will be able to hear the music, but views of the stage will be distant and limited.</p><p>Pope said Sister Hazel was the "most requested" act listed on the surveys.</p><p>Bred in Gainesville (where two members still live), Sister Hazel topped charts in the 1990s with "All For You" and "Happy." The band continues to tour heavily and perform to large crowds — dedicated fans dubbed Hazelnuts. They never stopped recording, and their newer music often teeters at the top of iTunes charts and other online music sites.</p><p>Eldredge is popular in current country music rotation; he hit No. 1 last year with the single "Don't Ya." He has opened for Taylor Swift and has performed at the Grand Ole Opry.</p><p>Money, with his raspy voice and sense of blue-collar blues, was an FM radio staple with the 1970s hits "Two Tickets to Paradise," "Baby Hold On to Me" and "Maybe I'm a Fool." In the 1980s, he became a familiar face on MTV with the hits "I Wanna Go Back," "Shakin'," "Take Me Home Tonight," "Think I'm in Love" and "Walk on Water."</p><p>Money has performed at Silver Springs twice, the first time in 2009 with fellow '80s rocker Rick Springfield. In an interview with the Star-Banner before that show, he said he is popular with younger fans these days, as some of his songs have appeared in popular video games and movies.</p><p>"I don't know. These kids are out of their minds," he said with a laugh in 2009. "They all got short hair, and they all got earrings, and all the girls have tattoos. I mean these kids are crazy. I don't know if they drink. I don't know if they smoke pot. I don't want to know. I've got my own daughter to deal with. She's enough."</p>